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Watts sending off

In the end what cost Hull was the decision to send Liam Watts off. He caught Wigan’s Michael McIlorum, who didn’t return to the field, with an elbow to the face and was red carded with just under an hour remaining.

McIlorum, however, shot out of the line and got his head in the wrong position, with that poor tackling technique seeing him collide with Watts’ elbow.

Many players and fans have agreed that the call on Watts was harsh but Wigan coach Shaun Wane countered this by stating that it would have been hard for referee Robert Hicks not to give the red.

“I don’t think Wattsy is a nasty player and it was just a quick reaction but it was tough for the referee not to do anything else,” Wane explained post-match.

Hull FC's Liam Watts was sent off against Wigan

State of play and injuries

The reality is now Hull’s home clash with Wakefield Trinity next Thursday just got even more important after they dropped down to fourth in the table.

Fifth-placed Wakefield are only one point behind but everything remains in Hull’s hands as we approach the final two matches of the league season.